GIZ Energy Support Programme - Viet Nam

What GIZ Energy Support Programme - Viet Nam does

The GIZ Energy Support Programme (ESP) in Viet Nam is a bilateral technical cooperation programme implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German federal government, supporting Viet Nam's energy transition toward sustainable, secure, and affordable energy systems. Founded in 2013/2014 and headquartered in Hanoi, the programme serves Vietnamese government ministries, regulatory authorities (notably MOIT, ERAV, EVN), research institutions, and private sector enterprises through policy advisory, technical assistance, capacity building, and technology transfer. Its work spans renewable energy (wind, solar, bioenergy), energy efficiency, smart grids, hydrogen and power-to-X, and macroeconomic modelling for energy transition policy.

The programme's technology backbone includes the proprietary DGE-METRIC macroeconomic model developed for Viet Nam in collaboration with the Halle Institute for Economic Research, used to assess economy-wide impacts of climate policies and carbon pricing. It also deploys smart grid expertise including renewable energy forecasting, smart inverters, virtual power plants, and HVDC transmission advisory. The portfolio comprises approximately 16 active and completed projects — including SGREEE, WIND, 4E, PDP, CIRTS, CASE, TEV, H2Uppp, JET-IKI, BSS4VN, and SHIFT — coordinated through a small core team of 12 staff and supported by partnerships with international research bodies, multilateral institutions (IFC, UNDP), and German corporate players (NEUMAN & ESSER).

ESP does not operate on a commercial revenue model. All funding flows from German federal ministry budgets (BMZ, BMUKN, BMWE) and the International Climate Initiative (IKI) as official development assistance. Services are delivered free of charge to Vietnamese counterparts under government-to-government cooperation agreements, with no pricing or fee structure. The model is one of diplomatic, technical, and financial intermediary between German policy expertise and Vietnamese institutional demand.

Name

GIZ Energy Support Programme - Viet Nam

Legal name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Website

https://esp.org.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The GIZ Energy Support Programme (ESP) is a German-Vietnamese bilateral technical cooperation initiative that advises Vietnamese government ministries, regulators, and utilities on energy transition, covering renewable energy, smart grids, hydrogen, and energy efficiency through policy advisory, capacity building, and technology transfer funded by German federal ministries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Transition Development Cooperation Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812), Public Administration (92)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy & Sustainability Management (Energy Audits/Optimization/Carbon & ESG Programs) (IMAIAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Auxiliary Systems EPC (Station Service, HVAC, Fire Protection, Security) (EUAEADAK), Electrical BOP & Collection Systems (MV/HV Cabling, Switchgear, Protection, Grounding) (EUAMAFAD), ESG Integration (Mainstream ESG-Tilted Strategies) (FSAAALAA)

Keywords

• Energy transition support
• Renewable energy projects
• Smart grid development
• Energy policy advisory
• Capacity building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanoi

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GIZ Energy Support Programme (ESP) Viet Nam is a bilateral technical cooperation programme that delivers policy advisory, technical assistance, capacity building, and technology transfer for Vietnam's energy transition. It implements a portfolio of approximately 16 projects covering renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, hydrogen, and energy sector policy reform. Services are funded by German federal ministries and delivered in partnership with Vietnamese government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector.

Product overview

GIZ Energy Support Programme (ESP) Viet Nam operates as a multi-project development cooperation program rather than a single unified product. It implements approximately 16 distinct projects and programs focused on energy transition, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable development in Viet Nam. The portfolio includes solar energy projects (rooftop, balcony, and utility-scale), wind power support, smart grid development, hydrogen and power-to-X initiatives, bioenergy, and macroeconomic modelling tools. Projects are funded by German federal ministries (BMZ, BMUKN) and implemented in cooperation with Vietnamese government ministries, with the Smart Grids for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SGREEE) being a flagship bilateral technical cooperation project with the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Grids for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SGREEE) A bilateral technical cooperation project supporting Viet Nam's Smart Grid Roadmap implementation, focusing on modernizing and automating the national power transmission and distribution system. Delivered jointly with the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) for power sector stakeholders.
• Promoting the Transition of the Energy Sector in Viet Nam (TEV) A bilateral cooperation project supporting Viet Nam's energy sector transition, focusing on strategic, legal, policy, and technological foundations for sustainable energy transformation. Aimed at Vietnamese government and energy sector partners.
• Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) A regional project supporting energy transition in Southeast Asia, aiming to build sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy systems while contributing to Paris Agreement commitments. Delivered for government and regional energy sector stakeholders.
• The International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) An international programme promoting hydrogen market development, including green hydrogen technology applications and power-to-X solutions. Includes a green hydrogen PPP project with PV Gas and NEUMAN & ESSER.
• Balcony Solar Systems for Viet Nam (BSS4VN) A project focused on promoting balcony solar systems for urban energy sustainability in Viet Nam, implementing small-scale solar solutions for residential buildings.
• Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar (CIRTS) A project promoting rooftop solar adoption in the commercial and industrial sectors, including O&M packages and installation training for Vietnamese enterprises.
• Project Development Programme (PDP) A programme supporting project development activities, including industrial heat and cold supply training and German Training Week programmes for Vietnamese energy sector partners.
• Accelerating Air Conditioning Transformation through Enhanced Energy Performance Standards (ACT MEPS) A project focused on improving energy efficiency standards for air conditioning systems, supporting capacity building for higher energy performance standards in Viet Nam.
• Innovation Regions For A Just Energy Transition (JET-IKI) A project supporting innovation regions for coal transition, helping areas dependent on coal production move toward sustainable energy alternatives.
• Climate Protection through Sustainable Bioenergy Markets in Viet Nam (BEM) A project supporting sustainable bioenergy market development for climate protection in Viet Nam, including guidelines for biomass power project development via the Vietnam Development Bank.
• Support to the Up-scaling of Wind Power (WIND) A project supporting wind power scaling in Viet Nam, including technology transfer and capacity building for wind power developers and utilities.
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (4E) A project supporting renewable energy development and energy efficiency improvements across various sectors in Viet Nam.
• DGE-METRIC Model and Dynare Software Training Programme Macroeconomic modelling training using the DGE-METRIC (Dynamic General Equilibrium Model for Energy Transition Policy Analysis) and Dynare software for assessing economy-wide impacts of climate policies, energy transition pathways, and carbon pricing mechanisms in Viet Nam. Delivered to government ministries, research institutions, and universities.

Quantifiable outcome

• From zero renewable energy, Vietnam became a front-runner in the region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Agora EnergiewendemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026One of six implementing organizations in the SHIFT project. Provides expertise in energy policy analysis and transition modelling.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ is the implementing organization of the Energy Support Programme. As a German federal enterprise, GIZ provides technical expertise, manages project implementation, and coordinates with German government ministries for funding and strategic direction.
• Học viện Ngân hàng (Banking Academy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six implementing organizations in the SHIFT project. Contributes to sustainable finance and banking sector engagement.
• Tổ chức Tài chính Quốc tế (IFC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six implementing organizations in the SHIFT project. Provides international finance expertise for green investment.
• Tổ chức Phát triển Hà Lan (SNV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six implementing organizations in the SHIFT project. Focus on sustainable development and private sector engagement.
• Chương trình Phát triển Liên Hợp Quốc (UNDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six implementing organizations in the SHIFT project. Provides UN development expertise and global network.
• Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government counterpart for energy sector cooperation. Collaborates on policy development, regulatory framework, and energy transition planning.
• Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for smart grid development and electricity regulatory reform. SGREEE project implemented jointly since 2018.
• State Agency for Technology and Innovation (SATI) - Ministry of Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject owner for CASE Viet Nam. Direct beneficiary of GIZ technical support for technology transfer and innovation in energy sector.
• Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH)majorTechnology or IntegrationGerman research partner for SHIFT project. Provides macroeconomic modelling expertise for energy transition policy analysis.
• Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)majorTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner for capacity building and training. Collaborates on DGE-METRIC model training and energy research.
• Vietnam Electricity (EVN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState utility partner for power system operations training and hydrogen workshop collaboration.
• NEUMAN & ESSERmajorTechnology or IntegrationGerman technology partner for green hydrogen PPP project with PV Gas. Provides electrolyzer technology and system design expertise.
• PV Gas (Tổng Công ty Khí Việt Nam)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnam's leading gas supplier developing first green hydrogen plant through PPP with GIZ support.
• Trường Đại học Việt-Đức (Vietnamese-German University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in green hydrogen PPP project, contributing to research and human resource development.
• Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-stakeholder platform for energy sector dialogue. GIZ supports technical working groups on grid integration.
• AHK Việt Nam (German Chamber of Commerce)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports German-Vietnam business connections in green hydrogen sector. Facilitates German corporate engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation): Dutch bilateral development organisation implements renewable energy and sustainable development programmes in Vietnam and is a co-implementing partner of GIZ ESP in the SHIFT project — directly comparable bilateral mandate and operating model.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency): Japan's bilateral development agency implements energy transition, infrastructure, and policy cooperation programmes across Southeast Asia — directly comparable to GIZ ESP's mandate, funding structure, and target counterparties in Vietnam.
• USAID: US government bilateral development agency runs energy and climate programmes in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, including the Mekong Clean Energy initiative and grid modernization work — a directly comparable bilateral energy cooperation programme.
• KfW Development Bank: German state-owned development bank is GIZ's sister organisation under German federal development cooperation, providing concessional finance for renewable energy and energy infrastructure in Vietnam — overlapping mandate and counterpart relationships.
• AFD (Agence Française de Développement): French bilateral development agency finances and advises on energy transition, climate, and sustainable development projects in emerging markets — comparable to GIZ ESP in deploying concessional government funding for policy and infrastructure advisory.

Broad incumbents

• International Finance Corporation (IFC): World Bank Group's private sector development arm finances and advises on renewable energy and green infrastructure in Vietnam — co-implementing partner of GIZ ESP in the SHIFT project and a major broader incumbent in Vietnam's energy transition advisory space.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Intergovernmental organisation supports renewable energy adoption globally through policy advisory, capacity building, and analysis — comparable to GIZ ESP's advisory and capacity-building mandate but at a multilateral scale.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB): Regional multilateral development bank finances and advises on energy transition, renewable energy, and grid modernisation across Southeast Asia — a much larger incumbent with overlapping influence on Vietnam's energy policy landscape.
• World Bank Group: Multilateral development institution provides energy policy advisory, concessional finance, and technical assistance to Vietnam — broader in scope and scale than GIZ ESP but operates as a major presence in the same policy and energy transition space.

Regional players

• Danida (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark): Danish bilateral development cooperation funds energy transition and green growth programmes across emerging markets — operates a similar bilateral policy advisory model but with stronger focus on European partnerships and offshore wind expertise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gizenergysupportprogramme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gizenergysupportprogramme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GIZ Energy Support Programme - Viet Nam